King's preview: Emerging from post-Derby slumber

Thursday, May 8 preview

Five days after Derby Day, racing returns to Churchill Thursday with a modest nine-race card that drew only 69 entrants, and with only a single race that has as many as 10 runners - the nightcap, a maiden $10,000 claimer.

The short fields are partially a reflection on the competition Churchill faces for horses from tracks in nearby states with purses supplemented by casino gaming. Also declines in foal crops in recent years have stretched the horse population thin, not only at Churchill but elsewhere.

Rosie Napravnik, leading the Churchill rider standings, will be absent over the four racing days this week, stemming from a suspension for her role in the disqualification of Bayern in the opening-night Derby Trial.

This provides other jockeys in the colony the opportunity to close the gap, with Julien Leparoux, Robby Albarado and Corey Lanerie probably the ones most likely to capitalize from her absence.

Wild Swava may provide early key

Horseplayers looking for an early single for multi-race gimmick wagers Thursday are advised to key Wild Swava in the third race, a starter $10,000 race at 1 1/8 miles on turf. She is 5 for 6 on turf, with her only loss coming when second with a difficult trip against richer starter $16,000 runners at Tampa four races ago.

She has won three straight since, including her last on Polytrack at Keeneland, and figures to get a favorable trip either setting or pressing a slow pace.

The best individual play in the race is a cold Wild Swava-Lady Susan exacta.

Lola Getz a live longshot

Looking for a live longshot? Look no further than Lola Getz in race 5. She joins trainer Jeff Barkley off the claim, and adds Lasix for the first time.

Barkley is probably a trainer unfamiliar to most horseplayers – he runs a small stable – but he is highly skilled, and his horses always come to the paddock looking outstanding.

Lola Getz is hard to recommend off her current form. She’s purely a faith-in-the-trainer play.

Sunny skies and warm temperatures are forecast for Thursday, suggesting bettors should handicap for a fast track and a firm turf course.

Early Thursday scratches

Race 2

#3 Au Moon

Race 8

#8 Go Go Rocket